Combined cup holder and storage bin

ABSTRACT

A combined cup holder and storage bin is provided. Such a device includes a rotating body having a first feature, a second feature and a third feature. The rotating body is selectively displaceable into a first position orienting the first feature for use, a second position orienting the second feature for use and a third position orienting the third feature for use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to the motor vehicle equipment fieldand, more particularly, to a combined cup holder and storage binincluding a rotating body that may be selectively displaced in order toorient one of three desired features for easy access and use by avehicle occupant.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicle users are always looking for convenient places to storeand hold personal items such as wallets, cell phones, electronics,flashlights, sports equipment such as golf balls, suntan lotion, eyedrops and the like. In many cases the typical storage options designedinto motor vehicles, including, for example, glove boxes, console bins,console cup holders, instrument panel storage compartments, center stackstorage compartments, door map pockets, seatback pockets and the likeeither do not provide enough dedicated storage or are simply notversatile enough to provide the best possible option. Further, thesededicated storage options are typically fixed and non-configurable tobest meet the needs of the user. Further, most are focused upon storagewithin reach of the driver or front row passenger and are notconveniently available to rear seat occupants. As a result it is clearthat a need exists for additional storage options in the interior trimof a motor vehicle.

This document relates to a rotating cup holder and storage bin whichprovides outboard, second row seat occupants with either a cup holder ora storage bin that is within easy reach. When not in use, the device maybe rotated to form a part of the middle seat cushion.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, acombined cup holder and storage bin is provided. That device comprises arotating body including a first feature, a second feature and a thirdfeature. The rotating body is selectively displaceable into a firstposition in order to orient the first feature for use, a second positionin order to orient the second feature for use and a third position inorder to orient the third feature for use.

The body of the combined cup holder and storage bin includes a pivotaxis. The first, second and third features are radially oriented aboutthat pivot axis so as to be upwardly facing when the body is positionedin the respective first, second and third positions.

In one possible embodiment, the combined cup holder and storage binincludes a support base that is fixed to a motor vehicle component suchas the rear seat frame, the motor vehicle frame or an interior componentsuch as a console. The body rotates in the support base.

In one possible embodiment, a detent mechanism is provided for retainingthe body in the first, second and third positions. The detent mechanismmay comprise cooperating resilient projections and cooperatingprojection receivers. In one possible embodiment, the resilientprojections are provided on the support base. Further the resilientprojections may be integrally molded with the support base.

In one possible embodiment, the first feature comprises a portion of aseat cushion. In one possible embodiment, the second feature comprises acup holder. In one possible embodiment, the third feature comprises astorage bin. In one possible embodiment, the storage bin has a lid tohold objects in the storage bin as the body is rotated between thefirst, second and third positions. In one possible embodiment, thesupport base is U-shaped in profile so as to form a trunnion mount forthe rotating body.

In the following description, there are shown and described severalpreferred embodiments of the combined cup holder and storage bin. As itshould be realized, the combined cup holder and storage bin is capableof other, different embodiments and its several details are capable ofmodification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from thecombined cup holder and storage bin as set forth and described in thefollowing claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should beregarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the combined cupholder and storage bin and together with the description serve toexplain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the combined cup holder andstorage bin including the rotating body and the U-shaped support base.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the resilientprojections in one sidewall of the support base that form a part of thedetent mechanism.

FIG. 3a is a detailed perspective view illustrating the detent mechanismwhen the rotating body (not shown) is between use positions.

FIGS. 3b is a detailed perspective view illustrating the detentmechanism when the rotating body (not shown) is held by the detentmechanism in one of the use positions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the rotating body in a firstuse position wherein a seat portion is oriented up to form a continuousseating surface with the rest of the rear seat.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the rotating body in a seconduse position with cup holders oriented up for use.

FIGS. 6a and 6b are perspective views illustrating the rotating body ina third use position with a storage compartment oriented up for usewherein FIG. 6a shows the lid closed and FIG. 6b shows the lid open.

FIGS. 7a-7c are schematic cross sectional views illustrating therotating body in respective first, second and third use positions.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the combined cup holder and storage bin, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-6 b illustrating the combined cupholder and storage bin 10 that may, for example, be secured to themiddle section of the rear seat F of the motor vehicle. The combined cupholder and storage bin 10 comprises a rotating body 12 received forrelative rotation in a support base 14 that is fixed to a motor vehiclecomponent such as the rear seat F, or body of the motor vehicle.

More specifically, the rotating body 12 may be formed or molded from aplastic composite material. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotatingbody 12 includes a first feature, in the form of a portion of a seatcushion 16, a second feature in the form of a cup holder 18 and a thirdfeature in the form of a storage bin 20. When the rotating body 12 is ina first use position, the seat cushion 16 is oriented upward so as toform a substantially continuous seating surface with the rear seat F(see FIGS. 4 and 7 a). When the rotating body 12 is in a second useposition, the cup holder 18 is oriented upward with two open cupcompartments 22 oriented to hold drink cups of vehicle occupants. SeeFIGS. 5 and 7 b.

When the rotating body 12 is in a third use position, the storage bin 20is oriented upward. As illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b , the storage bin20 includes a lid 24 that is connected by a hinge 26 to the storage bin20. The lid 24 may be held in a closed position illustrated in FIG. 6aby a latch 28 when the rotating body 12 is rotated between use positionsso as to maintain objects or items within the storage compartment 30 ofthe storage bin 20. However, when one desires to gain access to storagecompartment 30 one simply releases the snap latch 28 and opens the lid24 as illustrated in FIG. 6b . A simple spring load latch with a pushbutton activator of a type known in the art may be used for the latch28.

As further noted, the body 12 is held in and received for rotation withrespect to the support base 14. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, thesupport base 14 includes a bottom wall 32, a rear wall 34 and two endwalls 36, 38. The support base 14 is open at the top and front. Each endwall 36, 38 includes an aperture 40. The two apertures 40 are alignedand form a rotation axis A about which the body 12 rotates.

A detent mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 50 retainsthe body 12 in the first, second and third positions illustrated inFIGS. 4, 5 and 6 a/6 b. More specifically, as best illustrated in FIG.2, the detent mechanism 50 includes a series of cooperating resilientprojections 52 integrally formed and molded with each end wall 36, 38 ofthe support base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, three resilientprojections 52 are radially oriented and spaced in equal arcs of 120°around the aperture 40 in each of the end walls 36, 38. As illustrated,each projection 52 is carried at the distal end of a resilient arm 54that is formed in the end wall 36, 38 by the U-shaped slot 56.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotating body 12 includes a detent plate60 at each end (only one visible in FIG. 1). Each detent plate 60includes one stub shaft 62. The stub shafts 62 on the detent plates 60are aligned with and received in the apertures 40 of the support base 14so that the body 12 freely rotates about the rotation axis A. Threeprojection receivers 64 are provided on each detent plate 60. Theprojection receivers 64 are each formed between a pair of cooperatingcams 66 and are radially arrayed around the stub shafts 62 in equal arcsmatching the orientation of the resilient projections 52 provided on theend walls 36,38 of the support base 14. Thus, whenever the rotating body12 is in the first, second or third positions illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5and 6 a/6 b, all of the resilient projections 52 are received and heldin the projection receivers 64 at each end of the device 10. As shouldbe appreciated, the engagement of the projections 52 in the receivers 64tends to maintain and hold the rotating body 12 in the selected first,second or third position. See FIG. 3b illustrating the three projections52 resting between cams 66 in the three cooperating receivers 64.However, whenever a vehicle occupant wishes to displace the rotatingbody 12 between the first, second and third use positions, he simplyengages the rotating body 12 with his hand and rotates the body in thedesired direction. This displacement causes the semi-spherical face ofthe projections 52 to climb the cams 66 thereby forcing the resilientarms 38 to bend outwardly so that the body 12 may be rotated. Theprojections 52 then float over the detent plates 60 at the ends of thebody 12 (see FIG. 3a ) until the body is rotated into the next useposition wherein the projections 36 again climb the cams 66. Once theprojections 52 are again aligned with the receivers 64, the resilientarms 38 snap the projections into engagement with the receivers to onceagain hold the rotating body 12 in the newly selected position.

In summary the combined cup holder and storage bin 10 provides a numberof benefits and advantages. More specifically, the bin 10 in theillustrated embodiment includes three separate features 16, 18, 20 thatmay be selectively oriented for use by a vehicle occupant. These threeindividual features enhance the versatility and performance of thedevice 10 so that it is better suited to meet the needs of the user evenif those needs include a number of different applications. For example,in the illustrated embodiment, the first feature 14 comprises a portionof a seat cushion while the second feature 16 comprises a cup holder andthe third feature 18 comprises a storage bin. Thus, the illustratedembodiment may be oriented in a first position as illustrated in FIG. 4to expose a portion of a seat cushion. This effectively hides the devicefrom view while also providing an aesthetically pleasing smooth surfacethat functions as a comfortable seat for a third or center rear seatoccupant. In contrast, the rotating body 12 may be rotated into thesecond use position thereby exposing the cup holder 18 (see FIG. 5) forconveniently holding a cup within reach of any outboard rear seatoccupant. Still further, the rotating body 12 may be rotated into thethird use position to expose the storage bin 20 into an upwardorientation so that one may store and/or access items stored in the bin20 without having to sacrifice the function of the cup holder 18 forsuch a purpose.

It should be appreciated that the rotary body 12 may incorporate otherfeatures in addition to or instead of the seat cushion 16, cup holder 18and storage bin 20. For example, these could include an electronicdevice charging station, a holder that is specifically adapted forholding sunglasses or even a set of dedicated speakers for a portablemusic device such as an MP3 player.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,while the illustrated embodiment includes detent plates 60 at each endof the body, it should be appreciated that the features 62, 64, 66 maybe directly molded into the rotating body 12 if desired. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claimswhen interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they arefairly, legally and equitably entitled.

1. A combined cup holder and storage bin, comprising: a rotating bodyincluding a first feature, a second feature and a third feature, saidrotating body being selectively displaceable into a first positionorienting said first feature for use, a second position orienting saidsecond feature for use and a third position orienting said third featurefor use, wherein one of said first, second and third features comprisesa seat cushion.
 2. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim 1,wherein said body includes a pivot axis and said first, second and thirdfeatures are radially oriented about said pivot axis so as to beupwardly facing when said body is in said respective first, second andthird positions.
 3. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim 2,further including a support base fixed to a motor vehicle component,said body rotating in said support base.
 4. The combined cup holder andstorage bin of claim 3, further including a detent mechanism forretaining said body in said first, second and third positions.
 5. Thecombined cup holder and storage bin of claim 4, wherein said detentmechanism comprises cooperating resilient projections and cooperatingprojection receivers.
 6. The combined cup holder and storage bin ofclaim 5, wherein said resilient projections are provided on said supportbase.
 7. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim 6, whereinsaid resilient projections are integrally molded with said support base.8. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim 7, further includingopposed detent plates on opposite ends of said body, said detent platesincluding said projection receivers.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The combined cupholder and storage bin of claim 7, wherein said first feature comprisesa portion of a seat cushion.
 11. The combined cup holder and storage binof claim 10, wherein said second feature comprises a cup holder.
 12. Thecombined cup holder and storage bin of claim 11, wherein said thirdfeature comprises a storage bin.
 13. The combined cup holder and storagebin of claim 12, wherein said storage bin has a lid to hold objects insaid storage bin as said body is rotated between said first, second andthird positions.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The combined cup holder and storagebin of claim 1, wherein one of said first, second and third featurescomprises a cup holder.
 16. The combined cup holder and storage bin ofclaim 1, wherein one of said first, second and third features comprisesa storage bin.
 17. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim 16,wherein said storage bin includes a lid.
 18. The combined cup holder andstorage bin of claim 1, wherein said first feature is a portion of aseat cushion, said second feature is a cup holder and said third featureis a storage bin.
 19. The combined cup holder and storage bin of claim18, wherein said storage bin includes a lid.
 20. A combined cup holderand storage bin, comprising: a support base fixed to a motor vehiclecomponent; a body rotating in said support base, said body including afirst feature, a second feature and a third feature, said body beingselectively displaceable into a first position orienting said firstfeature for use, a second position orienting said second feature for useand a third position orienting said third feature for use, wherein saidbody includes a pivot axis and said first, second and third features areradially oriented about said pivot axis so as to be upwardly facing whensaid body is in said respective first, second and third positions; adetent mechanism for retaining said body in said first, second and thirdpositions, wherein said detent mechanism comprises cooperating resilientprojections and cooperating projection receivers, wherein said resilientprojections are integrally molded with said support base, and whereineach of said projection receivers is provided between two cooperatingcams; and opposed detent plates on opposite ends of said body, saiddetent plates including said projection receivers.